Cultural Beliefs and Misconceptions about Cancer in Eastern Nigeria
Taliikwa Nicholas Ceaser
Department of Pharmacognosy Kampala International University Uganda
Email:ceaser.taliikwa@studwc.kiu.ac.ug
ABSTRACT
Cancer continues to pose a significant public health challenge in Eastern Nigeria, where cultural beliefs, traditional practices, and religious interpretations strongly influence perceptions of the disease. Misconceptions about cancer causation, prevention, and treatment rooted in indigenous cosmologies, moral frameworks, and communal narratives contribute to stigma, delayed diagnosis, and poor adherence to biomedical care. Traditional healers, faith-based institutions, and community opinion leaders play critical roles in either perpetuating or challenging these beliefs. This review examines the interplay between cultural, religious, and social factors and their impact on health-seeking behavior, early detection, and treatment outcomes. It further highlights strategies to bridge traditional and biomedical perspectives, emphasizing culturally sensitive health education, community engagement, and integration of local knowledge systems. By addressing these socio-cultural determinants, policymakers and healthcare providers can develop interventions that promote early diagnosis, reduce stigma, and improve adherence to treatment, ultimately enhancing cancer outcomes in Eastern Nigeria.
Keywords: Cancer, cultural beliefs, misconceptions, stigma, traditional medicine, Eastern Nigeria.
CITE AS: Taliikwa Nicholas Ceaser (2026). Cultural Beliefs and Misconceptions about Cancer in Eastern Nigeria. IAA Journal of Scientific Research 13(1):23-27.